Exercise is one of the 12 modified risk factors that we know improves your risk profile when it comes to dementia and cognitive impairment. Daily exercise is also important for our mental well being and people with existing diagnosis of dementia. People living with dementia will get benefit from exercise in terms of improved mood, social activities and interaction with others. Evidence suggests that physical activity can be neuro-protective and two recent research papers have also shown that a cognitive decline is slowed in those who exercise.
There is also evidence that people with a dementia may present initially with changes in mobility and ability and this may be a predictor of cognitive decline. Research continues into this in the University of Tasmania. The exercise does not need to be rigorous although there is evidence that strength and resistance training is important for preventing frailty. The most important thing to remember is that it needs to be fun and enjoyable.
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